Having nice and healthy hair is imperative for all women. However, almost everyone has some hair breakage, whether from hair dyeing, dryness, or breakage. Chemicals used in hair colors irritate hair. So, how to fix dye damaged hair, how to restore its balance and excellent condition?
In most cases, damage can be managed and you can repair damaged dyed hair naturally, but once your hair is split or broken, nothing can permanently fuse it together again. Hair products can make it feel smoother and softer on touch, but the only real long-term solution is trimming it or cutting it off.
If you have dyed your hair and noticed some damage, follow along. Here are some of the solutions and tips on how to care for color-damaged hair.
How Does Dyeing Hair Cause Damage?
If your dyed hair starts looking dull and dry after a while, then it is undoubtedly damaged. When dyeing hair with hair colors, ammonia and other chemicals are used for opening the cuticle so that dye can penetrate into it. Even if you opt for ammonia-free formulas, they can equally damage the hair.
Whether you use hair dye or bleach, both can cause damage, dryness, and split ends. The hair shaft is protected with a layer of protein. When using dye or bleach, the natural oils and that protective layer are stripped off, so you end up with dry hair.
Understand the Root Cause of Your Damaged Hair
Sometimes, warning signs appear after you have bleached or dyed your hair. They can be less or more visible on your hair. Many women are often not sure where that damage comes from, but it is crucial to understand the root cause of your damaged colored hair.
These are the signs you should look for after dyeing your hair.
Tangles in Your Hair
When you use hair dye or bleach on your hair, it tends to become dry and frizzy. We all know what dry ends mean – tangles in your hair. Dry cuticles are rough, so they practically stick together, causing tangles.
Loss of Natural Hair Shine
Dull hair without shine is prevalent after bleaching and dyeing hair. When the hair cuticle is healthy, it lies flat and reflects the light. When the cuticle is broken, it starts to appear dull and lose its natural shine.
Dry Hair & Brittle Look
One of the first and most common signs of dye-damaged hair is dryness. Alongside, hair starts to look brittle! Many women experience this, especially after heavy bleaching or going from dark to light hair colors.
How to Fix Dye Damaged Hair (8 Helpful Measures)
After you have noticed these warning signals, it is the right time to ask yourself: what can you do to make your damaged hair look better, how to care for color-damaged hair?
Fortunately, many things will make your hair look healthier. All you need to do is follow some advice and change your hair care routine.
1. Use Bleach Less or Not at All
As we have previously learned, bleach is one of the leading causes of dye-damaged hair. It causes dryness, split ends, and many other things that make you feel bad about your hair. Try to extend the period when you use bleach, or see if you can avoid using bleach in general.
2. Skip Shampoo
This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t wash your hair at all. On the contrary, you simply need to prolong the time between washes. Instead of washing your hair every day, try to shampoo it every 3-4 days.
Most shampoos on the market contain harsh chemicals that are not good for your hair. They tend to wash out the color quicker than you think and can dry out your hair when used frequently. However, when you wash your hair 3 to 4 times a week, the natural hair oils are allowed to replenish between cleansing, so the moisture is restored.
3. Protect it From Sun Rays
Your hair can get as damaged as your skin from sun UV rays. When your hair is dyed or bleached, that damage can be even worse. You can purchase leave-in conditioners and mists that have SPF for your hair strands.
4. Use Conditioner and Masks
Using conditioner and other hair treatments after washing are crucial in repairing dye-damaged hair. Those products should reduce split ends, brittle look and pump your hair with hydration.
You should invest in oils, serums, masks, and leave-in creams that will really make a difference in your hair. You should notice the results quickly. Hair will be sleeker, shiner, easy to manage, and resistant to further breakage.
RELATED: 8 Best Drugstore Oils For Damaged Hair
5. Trim The Hair Regularly
Many women spend months growing their long, beautiful hair. However, regular trims are especially important if you dye your hair. This is how you will prevent split ends, tangles and have healthy-looking hair in general.
6. Avoid Blow Dry
Hairdryers should be reserved only for those rushed mornings when you don’t have time to let your hair dry naturally. Avoid using heat on your hair altogether when trying to heal it after coloring.
Choose a good-quality hair wrap made of microfiber that won’t tug and pull the hair but will absorb the water and make your hair dry faster.
7. Visit a Salon
We know that many of you have tried DIY methods of dyeing hair, especially during a lockdown period. However, it is always better to visit a professional than to risk damaging your hair. The hairstylists will know how to minimize damage and will use semi or demi-permanent dyes that are less aggressive and won’t damage the hair cuticle that much.
8. Dye Only Your Roots
Once you find the shade that suits you, try not to make sudden changes. That is how you will only need to reapply the dye on your roots instead of hair lengths.
Also, when thinking about hair shade, three shades within your natural shade are ideal.
Simply told, significant hair color changes can cause bigger damage to your hair cuticles. These unnatural colors are also harder to maintain, and they usually require using bleach. Therefore, you will need to dye your hair more often than you think.